Washington, October 17, 2025
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is slated to press his case at the White House for U.S. provision of long-range missiles, particularly Tomahawk cruise missiles, just ahead of his meeting with President Donald Trump. The move comes on the heels of a call between Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin, during which Moscow warned that supplying such weapons would jeopardize U.S., Russia relations.
According to reports, Trump and Putin agreed to another summit, likely to take place in Budapest, and discussed Ukraine’s missile requests. Russian officials reportedly argued that supplying Tomahawks to Ukraine would damage the peace process and U.S., Russia ties. In the call, Putin cautioned against escalation, insisting that weapons transfers should not alter military balance.
Ahead of his Washington visit, Zelenskyy has stated that stronger armaments are essential for Ukraine to deter further incursions and pressure Russia toward serious negotiations. U.S. media reports indicate that Trump, after his talk with Putin, expressed concern about depleting American missile stockpiles and appeared less certain about delivering Tomahawks.
Foreign policy analysts interpret the timing as strategic: by engaging both Putin and Zelenskyy in rapid succession, the U.S. administration is attempting to maintain diplomatic balance while positioning itself as mediator and supplier. Zelenskyy’s arguments at the White House are expected to emphasize accountability, results, and conditional support.
As the war continues into its fourth year, Ukraine’s push for extended-range weapons underscores its desire to strike deeper into Russian-held territory and reshape its strategic leverage. Whether Trump will approve the request remains uncertain, with fears in Washington that escalation may provoke retaliation or damage diplomatic efforts.
